Artist Ryosuke Ohtake recently created an intricate jizai okimono-style lobster sculpture. Jizai Okimono is a small niche area within the field of Japanese Art that involves the carving of realistic-looking animal sculptures whereby the body parts are animated through joints just like the real living thing. Each individual limb is intricately carved and are assembled to a main body. This specialized art form originated in the lade- Edo period (late 1700s) when metalsmiths and armor makers found themselves with little business but plenty of time on their hands. Birds, snakes, insects and creatures were carved with such impressive detail and precision that the sculptures appeared highly realistic. 25-year old Ohtake has taken this old style to the next level by taking on the challenge of carving the lobster. With it’s numerous joints and unique movement, it has been considered to be one of the most challenging creatures to carve. What made this work more impressive was that this wooden lobster sculpture was actually Ohtake’s very first jizai okimono! 

via thisiscolossal